Instruments related to COVID-19
Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/435)
19.This instrument removes emergency provisions that made criminal record checks available free of charge for certain categories of health and social care worker providing care or treatment for COVID-19, given a “significantly reduced” need to recruit such staff.
20.In March 2020, the Government asked retired health and social care practitioners to consider returning to work to assist with the response to the pandemic. Such individuals required a criminal record check to ensure they were not barred from working with children or adults in a regulated activity. To allow the recruitment to proceed quickly and safely, and without imposing cost burdens on employers or applicants, the Government passed legislation to make such checks free.5
21.The instrument restores the pre-pandemic situation that checks are only available free to unpaid volunteers, such as those undertaking voluntary work for a charity or community group and school governors.
5 Implemented in the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/359).